Christians consider an exemplary Catholic to be a person who lives out their faith, is active in their parish, has an outstanding character, solid family life, and productive job. Even those who select candidates for the priesthood look for strengths, not weaknesses. A successful candidate should have good grades in philosophy and theology, confidence in social situations, efficient managerial skills, financial acumen, flair as a public speaker, and psychological stability.
Perhaps a better yardstick for assessing potential success as a priest or as a member of the priesthood of the faithful is to consider how weak a person realises he is. Has he experienced confusion and doubt? Has he been broken and lived through depression and anxiety? Has he tasted failure and defeat? Does he realise his tendency to sin? Does he realise he needs God?
I heard one prominent Protestant ministry only accepts people for leadership roles if they have been broken, experienced true failure and humbly draw on God’s strength. Similarly, the most effective Catholic leaders rely on God, not on their own gifts and strengths. Maybe those who are confident in their own accomplishments do not fully live in, with, and through the Holy Spirit because they are self-sufficient.